Hand-held data capture system with interchangeable modules

Abstract

A hand-held data collection terminal unit includes an elongate housing having a lower portion supportable in the hand of a user and an upper portion facing such user when the terminal is in a typical use position. The upper portion includes a keyboard and a display screen. In accordance with the invention, the hand-held terminal comprises a plurality of modules in which a base modules extend longitudinally and includes inner and outer end caps of the terminal. The inner end cap is disposed on the end of the terminal which is typically points toward a user when the terminal is in use, the out end cap being disposed on opposite end of the terminal. A keyboard module is defined as an intermediate module disposed adjacent the base module and between the end caps. A display screen module is further disposed adjacent the intermediate module and adjacent the outer end cap of the base module.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable data capture system, comprising: (a) a hand-held terminal having a user interface located on a first surface of the data capture system;   (b) an optical indicia reader module for reading externally located optical indicia;   (c) means for electrically and physically connecting said hand-held terminal to said optical indicia reader module so as to form a combined unit suitable for portable hand-held reading of externally located optical indicia; and   (d) a first manually actuatable selector to actuate operation of the optical indicia reader module, said first manually actuatable selector connected to and located on the hand-held terminal where a finger of an operator would rest while holding the portable data capture system, said first manually actuatable selector being located to be readily actuated by an operator during operation of the portable data capture system and said first manually actuatable selector being located on a second surface of the portable data capture system, said second surface being distinct from said first surface.   
     
     
       2. A portable data capture system according to claim 1, wherein said first manually actuatable selector is located on said hand-held terminal. 
     
     
       3. A portable data capture system according to claim 1, wherein said optical indicia reader module further comprises a handle designed to provide a convenient handgrip for holding the portable data capture system during operation. 
     
     
       4. A portable data capture system according to claim 3, wherein said first manually actuatable selector is located on said handle of said optical indicia reader module. 
     
     
       5. A portable data capture system according to claim 3, wherein said handle can be readily attached to and detached from said optical indicia reader module. 
     
     
       6. A portable data capture system according to claim 5, wherein said handle contains a battery compartment and electrical connections for providing operating power to said hand-held terminal. 
     
     
       7. A portable data capture system according to claim 1, wherein said first manually actuatable selector is located on said hand-held terminal, and wherein said second surface is located on said hand-held terminal and is adjacent to said first surface containing the user interface. 
     
     
       8. A portable data capture system according to claim 1, further comprising a second manually actuatable selector capable of actuating operation of the optical indicia reader module. 
     
     
       9. A portable data capture system according to claim 8, wherein said second manually actuatable selector is located on a third surface of said hand-held terminal, said third surface being located adjacent said first surface containing the user interface. 
     
     
       10. A portable data capture system according to claim 9 wherein said first manually actuatable selector is located on said hand-held terminal, wherein said second surface is located on said hand-held terminal and is adjacent said first surface containing the user interface, and wherein said third surface is positioned opposite said second surface. 
     
     
       11. A portable data capture system according to claim 10 wherein said second surface and said third surface are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
       12. A portable data capture system according to claim 8 wherein said first manually actuatable selector and said second manually actuatable selector are positioned so that said hand-held terminal can be held in either a right hand or a left hand and said optical indicia reader module can be conveniently activated regardless of which hand is holding said hand-held terminal. 
     
     
       13. A portable data capture system, comprising: (a) a hand-held terminal having a user interface on a first surface of the data capture system;   (b) an optical indicia reader module for reading externally located optical indicia;   (c) a connector to electrically and physically connect said hand-held terminal to said optical indicia reader module so as to form a combined unit suitable for portable hand-held reading of externally located optical indicia; and   (d) a first manually actuatable selector to actuate operation of the optical indicia reader module, said first manually actuatable selector being located on the hand-held terminal where a finger of an operator would rest while holding the portable data capture system, said first manually actuatable selector being not mechanically connected to said optical indicia reader module, and said first manually actuatable selector being located on a second surface of the portable data capture system, said second surface being distinct from said first surface.   
     
     
       14. A portable data capture system according to claim 13, wherein said first manually actuatable selector is located on said hand-held terminal. 
     
     
       15. A portable data capture system according to claim 13, wherein said optical indicia reader module further comprises a handle designed to provide a convenient handgrip for holding the portable data capture system during operation. 
     
     
       16. A portable data capture system according to claim 15, wherein said first manually actuatable selector is located on said handle of said optical indicia reader module. 
     
     
       17. A portable data capture system according to claim 15, wherein said handle can be readily attached to and detached from said optical indicia reader module. 
     
     
       18. A portable data capture system according to claim 17, wherein said handle contains a battery compartment and electrical connections for providing operating power to said hand-held terminal. 
     
     
       19. A portable data capture system according to claim 13, wherein said second surface is located adjacent to said first surface containing the user interface. 
     
     
       20. A portable data capture system according to claim 13, further comprising a second manually actuatable selector capable of actuating operation of the optical indicia reader module. 
     
     
       21. A portable data capture system according to claim 20, wherein said second manually actuatable selector is located on a third surface of the portable data capture system, said third surface being located adjacent said first surface containing the user interface. 
     
     
       22. A portable data capture system according to claim 21 wherein said first manually actuatable selector is located on a second surface of the portable data capture system, said second surface being located adjacent to said first surface containing the user interface, and wherein said second surface is positioned opposite said third surface. 
     
     
       23. A portable data capture system according to claim 22 wherein said second surface and said third surface are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
       24. A portable data capture system according to claim 20 wherein said first manually actuatable selector and said second manually actuatable selector are positioned so that said hand-held terminal can be held in either a right hand or a left hand and said optical indicia reader module can be conveniently activated regardless of which hand is holding said hand-held terminal.